Transforming Backyards into Basecamps for Every Adventurer
A mobile platform born during the pandemic that connects outdoor enthusiasts with private landowners, offering customizable experiences from primitive camping to luxury glamping while creating new revenue streams for property owners.
About
Explore Eden, developed by Nectar Labs, was an innovative outdoor hospitality platform that emerged from the pandemic-driven demand for private outdoor experiences. The platform enabled landowners to monetize their properties while providing adventurers with diverse accommodation options from basic campsites to luxury glamping experiences.
Services
Challenge
The project faced several key business hurdles: building a sustainable two-sided marketplace of landowners and guests, differentiating the service in an increasingly competitive hospitality industry, and identifying strategic markets for platform expansion while maintaining quality experiences.
Our Solution
Nectar Labs developed a comprehensive platform that simplified outdoor experiences by catering to various comfort levels. The timing proved ideal, as data showed 46% of prospective campers sought outdoor experiences post-COVID lockdowns, with camping participation increasing 21% from 2019 to 2020. The platform's success was further bolstered by its innovative approach to outdoor hospitality, offering everything from basic campsites to luxury accommodations, directly addressing the growing market demand for private, personalized outdoor experiences.
The solution uniquely addressed both sides of the marketplace: offering landowners professional support services including free landscape photography and listing management, while providing guests with customizable experiences that could be upgraded from primitive camping to full-service glamping arrangements.
Key features
Customizable Experiences
The platform stood out by offering flexible accommodation options that could be tailored to each user's comfort level. Guests could choose from primitive campsites to luxury cabins, with the unique ability to upgrade their experience from basic camping to fully-serviced glamping, complete with setup and breakdown services.
Exclusive Destinations
The platform featured unique properties not found on other booking sites, creating a distinctive value proposition in the outdoor hospitality market. This exclusivity, combined with professional property management support, helped maintain high standards across all listings while differentiating from competitors like Airbnb and Hipcamp.
Landowner Support
Explore Eden provided comprehensive support for property owners, including professional landscape photography, streamlined onboarding processes, and hands-on customer support. This approach helped landowners effectively monetize their property while maintaining high-quality listings on the platform.
Explore with ease
The app simplified the booking process, so you can spend less time searching for your ideal campsite and more time exploring it. With the option to customize your stay by adding on glamping upgrades, mountain bike rentals, guided hiking tours, and more, Explore Eden ensures that every guest finds the adventure they're looking for.
Three months after its MVP launch in 2021, Explore Eden expanded its site listings to 6+ states and received over 400 app downloads.
Market Impact and Wellness Benefits
Research indicated that 76% of adolescents found nature experiences helpful in alleviating pandemic-related stress, underlining the platform's broader social impact. This aligned with Explore Eden's mission to make outdoor experiences more accessible while creating sustainable income opportunities for landowners.
The platform continued to evolve, focusing on expanding its reach while maintaining the quality and uniqueness of its offerings. By combining technology with personalized service, Explore Eden positioned itself as a leader in the outdoor hospitality sector, creating value for both property owners and outdoor enthusiasts.
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